The Castle Climbing Centre

TOUR on Saturday 8 May 2010

Come and explore the striking Castle Climbing Centre with two local climbers – one with a passion for industrial archaeology, and the other with an interest in the cultural significance of extreme sports.

Originally designed by William Chadwell Mylne as a water pumping station in 1856 this building was given an 'attractive' exterior to mask its industrial purpose. Designed to look like a Scottish Baronial castle the building's function is concealed: chimneys appear as towers with crenellated parapets, arrowslits and flying buttresses; and the bailey of the 'castle' stands on an earthen mound. Today, the Castle is used as indoor climbing centre with synthetic slabs, boulders and walls to scale for pleasure and sport. So while the Castle pumps water no more, it pumps muscle aplenty!

The tour will include parts of the Castle not usually open to the public. No climbing will be expected on the day!